Metro Manila, Philippines — Divilacan, Isabela was ground zero for Severe Tropical Storm Kristine with strong winds that could cause damage to property and cut power and communication services, government meteorologists said early Thursday morning, Oct. 24.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Wind Signal No. 3 in a number of provinces as “Kristine” moves across northern Luzon.
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PAGASA said “Kristine” may slightly weaken while crossing the mountainous region and head towards the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday afternoon.
According to the 2 a.m. bulletin, Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the southern portion of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the southern portion of Abra, Benguet, the northern and central portions of Aurora, the northern portion of Nueva Ecija, the northern portion of Tarlac, the northern portion of Zambales, Pangasinan, La Union, and the central and southern portions of Ilocos Sur.
Signal No. 2 was raised over Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, Apayao, the rest of Abra, the rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, the rest of Tarlac, Pampanga, the rest of Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Batangas, the northern and central portions of Quezon including Polillo Islands, and the northwestern portion of Camarines Norte.
These were the localities under Signal No. 1:
+ Luzon: Batanes, the rest of Quezon, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, the northern portion of mainland Palawan, Cuyo Islands, Calamian Islands, the rest of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands;
+ Visayas: Aklan, Capiz, Antique including Caluya Islands, Iloilo, Guimaras, the northern portion of Negros Occidental, the northern portion of Cebu including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, the northern and eastern portions of Eastern Samar, and the northern and central portions of Leyte.
Local government units are coordinating closely with disaster response teams for rescue operations.
Authorities have advised communities in high-risk areas to evacuate if necessary, secure their homes, and prepare for possible power outages.
